Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


The Modern Post, Grace Alone EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

The Modern Post
Grace Alone EP



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 5 tracks: 18 minutes, 28 seconds
Street Date: August 14, 2012


The modern church is filled with contemporary Christian music: positive songs that are safe for the whole family and, at their core, desire to bring glory to God. The traditional church is filled with hymns: songs that are filled with doctrinal richness and, at times, point out humanity's depravity - which does not always achieve a joyous and copacetic reception. Both of these styles are good and glorify Jesus, but rarely does someone achieve blending the two so well. However, in the case of The Modern Post, on their debut EP, Grace Alone, the band doesn't just mesh the two styles together - they've brought them to a collision and the explosion is breathtaking.

The album begins with the gritty interpretation of the hymn "Just As I Am." With a funky bass line, industrial low keys, and the voice of Dustin Kensrue (front man of the band Thrice), you would never have known this was being sung in pews in the mid-1800's. Title track "Grace Alone" follows and it continues the grittiness but with a lighter tone. Lyrically, it is doctrinally solid as it embraces the undeserved grace and atoning work of Christ, as Kensrue sings, "I worked my fingers down to the bone; but nothing I did could ever atone, but Jesus, you paid me debt." The music is creative, the melody is catchy, and the words are convicting.

"Before the Throne" is interpreted with a near Killers-like synth sound, but with more musical depth. This interpretation holds the melody with an open hand and lets the music be the major change, thus keeping the integrity of the song perfectly intact. "Amazing Grace (God of Grace)" does a very similar thing, while Kensrue also adds in his own chorus as he sings, "O God of grace, who cleanses me of sin. Your strong embrace will keep me till the end." The classic hymn is by no means lessened in quality by the addition, and it really will give worship teams a refreshed version of the Christian music staple.

Bringing the album to a close is a cover of Jon Foreman's "White As Snow." To be honest, I was a little nervous about this one, but it is a standout track on the album. With the same approach being to not change the melody of the song, it is interpreted to fit The Modern Post's context. While, lyrically, it is unmistakably Foreman, it is musically a completely different song - which should please listeners.

There are many people who have recently undertaken the task of reintroducing hymns to the ears of the modern Christian. The Modern Post's home church, Mars Hill Church, based in Seattle, Washington, has become one of the major catalysts for that. It can't be said in good conscience that everyone will be successful at it, but if more high-quality interpretations such as this one released by The Modern Post come to light, I think the church of today might be returning back to hymnals.

- Review date: 10/2/12, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

. Record Label: Mars Hill Music
. Album length: 5 tracks: 18 minutes, 28 seconds
. Street Date: August 14, 2012
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Just As I Am (3:17)
  2. Grace Alone (3:34)
  3. Before the Throne (3:27)
  4. Amazing Grace (God of Grace) (4:16)
  5. White As Snow (3:54)

 

 

 

 

Leave a Comment


 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images